OUR VIEW: Veterans need full medical care access

As the United States works to reduce its military engagements around the world, it also should work even harder to provide adequate compensation and services for those who have chosen to fight for this country.

Investigations of care in Veterans Affairs medical facilities have brought allegations that veterans who may have survived combat died because they could not schedule necessary medical care in these VA medical facilities.

Audits are underway at VA medical facilities in Murfreesboro and Nashville, and we hope their findings will show a more than adequate level of medical care for veterans, particularly in regard to access to medical services.

Service in the military in any era is fraught with the physical and emotional dangers of combat and even close proximity to combat.

One major change, however, is the fact that military service is no longer an element of citizenship with mandatory military service.

Young men and women now volunteer to take the responsibility to provide security for all. In return, veterans deserve a guarantee of provision of necessary health services, which also includes mental health services.

Although many veterans returning from recent conflicts are able to rejoin the work force immediately and make productive contributions, other veterans are returning with:

? post-traumatic stress disorder

? substance-abuse problems

? traumatic limb injuries

? traumatic brain injuries

? suicidal tendencies

While some might contend that those who volunteer should understand its inherent dangers, participation in a military engagement may mean dangers will continue for years to come.

Everyone in U.S. society, however, has an obligation to the men and women who are defending them and guaranteeing them their rights.

Debate already has started about whether the problem is adequate financial resources or adequate leadership, and some are challenging the entire notion of a VA medical system.

York VA Medical Center has been a part of this community for decades, and we hope the audit will find ready access for veterans to necessary services. Failure to provide that access is a betrayal of the obligation for care that this society owes its defenders.

Immediate corrective action is necessary, and we can only hope that patients of the York VA Medical Center are not among those who have been victims of such betrayal.

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OUR VIEW: Veterans need full medical care access

As the United States works to reduce its military engagements around the world, it also should work even harder to provide adequate compensation and services for those who have chosen to fight for